Pattern output apparatus and pattern output method

Abstract: A pattern output apparatus and a pattern output method, in which data received from an external apparatus such as a host computer is developed to bit map pattern data on a page unit basis as output information and the bit map pattern data is outputted. The pattern output apparatus comprises a converter for converting form data to intermediate data, a memory to store the form data converted to the intermediate data by the converter, and an output controller for converting input data which is inputted from an external apparatus to intermediate data, for producing a pattern based on the input data converted to the intermediate data and the form data stored in the memory, and for outputting the pattern. The input data and the form data are expressed by different command systems. The intermediate data has a data format peculiar to the pattern output apparatus. The intermediate data is the data obtained by processing the input data or form data so as to easily produce the pattern.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pattern output apparatus such as a printing apparatus or the like and a pattern output method, in which data received from an external apparatus such as a host computer or the like is developed as output information to bit map pattern data of a page unit and the bit map pattern data is outputted. Related Background Art Hitherto, such a kind of printing apparatus uses a general method whereby bit map pattern data of one page is developed into an image memory on the basis of input data (printer language such as a PDL or the like comprising a character code, a control code, and the like) received from a host computer and the result of the development in the image memory is converted to the video signal and is transferred to a printer mechanism section. A printing apparatus such that a plurality of print command systems are supported in one printing apparatus has been also generally widespread. It is a general way that separately from the input data, form data is transmitted from the host computer and is registered into the printing apparatus and the registered form is overlapped into the input data, thereby forming output form overlay pattern. In this instance, in the case where the form to be overlaid into each page is the same form, when the form data is transmitted every page, it takes a data transfer time from the host computer. Therefore, generally, before the input data is transmitted, the form data is registered into a memory (for example, RAM) of the printing apparatus and the form data which has once been registered is held until the deletion is instructed from the host computer or a power source is cut off. By merely instructing the form to be overlaid into the input data any time, it is possible to easily overlap the input data and the form and to form and output a form overlay pattern. Further, by adding a secondary memory device such as a hard disc or the like to the printing apparatus and by registering form data into the secondary memory device, a number of kinds of form data can be registered into the printing apparatus. Even if the power source is once cut off, the registered form data is not lost. Consequently, as for the form data which has once been registered in the secondary memory device, by merely inputting a command (instruction information) to instruct a form to be overlaid to the input data which is sent from the host computer, it is possible to easily overlap the received input data and the form stored in the secondary memory device and to produce and output a form overlay pattern any time irrespective of the on/off operation of the power source. A method whereby the form data is registered into the secondary memory device and a printing process is executed as mentioned above is becoming a general method. In such a printing apparatus, in the case where the input data and the registered form are overlaid and the form overlay pattern is produced and outputted, generally, command systems (for example, kind of PDL) of the input data and the form have to be identical. That is, the command system of the input data and the command system of the form have to be coincident. The conventional apparatus, therefore, has a problem such that it is impossible to overlap the input data of a command system (A) and the form of a command system (B) and to produce and output a form overlay pattern. Namely, for example, there is a problem such that although the printing apparatus has the command system (A) which is excellent for a text process (character process) and a command system (B) which is excellent in a graphic process, the result (form overlay pattern) in which the input data and the form are overlaid cannot be outputted by utilizing merits of those two command systems. Furthermore, the US-A-5 104 245 discloses a printer wherein form data and non-form data is combined and developed into a resultant synthetic image in a frame memory. Only non-form data is developed in a previously set area of an image memory after form data has been developed without erasing the developed form data until the form data is subjected to change. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method, in which by converting input data or form data corresponding to various kinds of command systems to intermediate data that is peculiar to the printing apparatus, the input data of a command system (A) and a form of a command system (B) can be overlapped and outputted. According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a printing apparatus and a printing method, respectively, as defined in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional construction of an output apparatus in the invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional construction of the output apparatus in the invention; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a concept of the overlay of input data and a form; Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a general construction of a printing apparatus; Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a sheet feeding system 407 in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a printer controller 403 in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a managing method of managing forms registered in the printing apparatus; Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed format of a form management record of a form management table; Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a construction of form information; Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a form registering process; Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a form overlaying process; Fig. 12 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of a printer controller; Fig. 13 is a diagram of the second embodiment showing a managing method of managing forms registered in a secondary memory device of the printing apparatus; Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed format of a form management record in a form management file according to the second embodiment; Fig. 15 is a diagram of the second embodiment showing a concept of an overlay of print data and a form; and Fig. 16 is a diagram of the second embodiment showing a concept of an overlay of print data and a form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 and 2 are schematic block diagrams showing functional constructions of a printing apparatus according to the invention. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an input data receiver for receiving input data (for example, printer language such as a PDL or the like comprising a character code, a control code, and the like) transmitted from a host computer. The input data comprises: data such as character code, figure, image, etc. for actually executing a printing process; and a control code for designating a printing position, a size, or the like and for designating a switching control of, for instance, a sheet feed mode (cassette sheet feed, manual sheet insertion), a sheet delivery mode, and one-side/both-sides printing mode. Reference numeral 102 denotes an input data analyzer (program) for analyzing input data received to the input data receiver 101. The input data analyzer 102 is built in every command system. The input data analyzer 102 includes: an input data analyzer (A) for analyzing input data (A) (command system A); and an input data analyzer (B) for analyzing input data (B) (command system B). Reference numeral 103 denotes an intermediate data converter for converting the input data analyzed by the input data analyzer 102 to the intermediate data that is peculiar to the printing apparatus on a page unit basis. The intermediate data denotes the data which is obtained by processing the input data so as to easily produce output data (bit map data) from the input data. Reference numeral 104 denotes a form manager for registering and managing the intermediate data, as a form, of one page which was converted by the intermediate data converter 103. Reference numeral 105 denotes a form storage (RAM) to store the forms registered by the form manager 104. In Fig. 2, the component elements shown by reference numerals 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 are the same as those shown in Fig. 1. Reference numeral 201 denotes an intermediate data developer for developing the intermediate data converted from the input data by the intermediate data converter 103 to the output data (bit map data) of one page. The intermediate data developer 201 also develops form information (intermediate data format) stored in the form storage 105 by overlapping the form into the bit map data produced from the input data through the form manager 104. Reference numerals 101 to 105 and 201 denote functions in a printer controller of the printing apparatus. Reference numeral 202 in Fig. 2 denotes an actual printing mechanism section (printer engine) comprising: a printing mechanism for performing a print control; and a control mechanism for executing a feeding control of a sheet feeding system (sheet feeding mode, sheet delivery process) in the printer engine. A fundamental concept of the invention is shown in Fig. 3. First, Fig. 3 shows a general example of the overlap of input data and a form. In Fig. 3, reference numeral 301 shows a state in which input data transmitted from the host computer is received by the input data receiver 101 and is transmitted through the input data analyzer 102 and intermediate data converter 103 and bit map data is developed in a memory of one page in the intermediate data developer 201. Reference numeral 302 in Fig. 3 shows a state in which the form registered in the form storage 105 by the function shown in Fig. 1 is developed to the bit map data into the memory of one page in the intermediate data developer 201 by the form manager 104. When the input data 301 is received by the input data receiver 101, the input data 301 comprises the data according to the command system (A) which is excellent for a text process. A command of the input data 301 is analyzed by the input data analyzer 102 corresponding to the command system (A) and the input data 301 is developed to the bit map data of one page. Similarly, when the form 302 is received by the input data receiver 101, the form 302 comprises the data according to the command system (B) which is excellent for a graphic process. A command of the form 302 is analyzed by the input data analyzer 102 corresponding to the command system (B). The form is registered into the form storage 105 as a form in the intermediate data format of one page. After that, the form is developed as bit map data into the memory of one page in the intermediate data developer 201 by the form manager 104. Reference numeral 303 in Fig. 3 denotes an output result (form overlay pattern) which is actually outputted by overlapping the bit map data 301 as a character pattern and the bit map data 302 as form data by the intermediate data developer 201 in Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 5 show a general construction in the printing apparatus. Reference numeral 401 in Fig. 4 denotes a host computer for transmitting various input data to the printing apparatus. In Fig. 4, reference numeral 402 denotes an example of the printing apparatus in the invention (a laser beam printer using a laser beam as a light emitting device is show here); 403 a printer controller of the printing apparatus; and 404 a printing mechanism unit (printer engine) of the printing apparatus. In Fig. 4, reference numeral 405 denotes a control section for controlling whole portions in the printer engine 404 of Fig. 4. The control section 405 comprises: a portion for receiving a video signal from the printer controller 403 in Fig. 4, for receiving a control command from the printer controller, and for transmitting status information of the engine to the printer controller; and a portion for controlling an electronic photographing process, the sheet feeding system, and the optical system. Reference numeral 406 in Fig. 4 denotes an optical system in the printer engine 404 in Fig. 4. Further, reference numeral 407 denotes the electronic photographing process and sheet feeding system in the printer engine 404 in Fig. 4. Reference numeral 408 in Fig. 4 denotes an operation panel which can input a command to designate various operations in the printing apparatus. Fig. 5 shows a further detailed diagram of the sheet feeding system 407 in Fig. 4. In Fig. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes a feed cassette and 502 indicates a feed roller to feed sheets from the sheet cassette one by one. In Fig. 5, reference numeral 503 denotes a photosensitive drum and 504 indicates a fixing unit. Further, reference numeral 505 in Fig. 5 denotes a feeding state of the sheet in the sheet feeding system. Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of the printer controller 403 in Fig. 4. In Fig. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a central processing unit (CPU) to control the whole printer controller and 602 indicates a program memory in which programs (including control programs shown in flowcharts of Figs. 9 and 10, which will be explained hereinlater) for controlling the printer controller have been stored. For example, the program memory 602 is constructed by an ROM (read only memory). Reference numeral 603 denotes a memory in which font information (dot font, outline font) to develop the character code to the bit map has been stored. For example, the memory 603 is constructed by an ROM (read only memory). Reference numeral 604 denotes a hardware circuit for transferring the bit map data obtained by developing the input data to the printer engine. The hardware circuit 604 comprises, for example, a DMAC (direct memory access controller) or an FIFO. Reference numeral 605 denotes a data input interface circuit (hereinafter, simply referred to as an input I/F) for connecting the host computer (401 in Fig. 6) and the printer controller (403 in Fig. 6). Reference numeral 606 denotes a work memory which is necessary for making the control program in the ROM 602 operative. For example, the work memory 606 is constructed by an RAM (random access memory). A storage area of the input data, a development area of the input data, and the like are also provided in the work memory 606. Reference numeral 607 denotes a data output interface circuit (hereinafter, simply referred to as an output I/F) for connecting the printer controller (403 in Fig. 6) and the printer engine (404 in Fig. 6). Reference numeral 608 denotes an image signal generator for generating a video signal from the bit map data developed in the input data development area (606 in Fig. 6) synchronously with the printer engine (404 in Fig. 6). Reference numeral 609 denotes a panel interface circuit (hereinafter, simply referred to as a panel I/F) for connecting the operation panel (408 in Fig. 6) and the printer controller (403 in Fig. 6). Reference numeral 610 denotes an internal bus for connecting each of the above memories and circuits to the CPU 601. A method of managing the form information in the printing apparatus will now be described with reference to data structural diagrams of Figs. 7 and 8. First, the form information transmitted from the host computer is converted to the intermediate print data and, after that, it is stored as form information (703 in Fig. 7) into the work memory (606) in the printing apparatus by an intermediate data format. The various form information (703 in Fig. 7) stored in the work memory (606) is managed by a form management table (RAM) as shown at 701 in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, reference numeral 702 denotes a management record for each form information (703 in Fig. 7) in the form management table (701 in Fig. 7). Fig. 8 shows a detailed format of the management record 702 in Fig. 7. Reference numeral 801 in Fig. 8 denotes a form name designated when the host computer registers the form into the printing apparatus; 802 indicates an ID flag to discriminate whether the management record is valid or invalid; and 803 an address pointer when the form information has been stored into the work memory (606). A method of registering the form will now be described in accordance with a flowchart of Fig. 10. First, in the case where the form information transmitted from the host computer is registered into the work memory (606) of the printing apparatus, the CPU 601 judges whether the form information from the host computer 401 has been received by the input data receiver 101 or not (step S1). As shown in Fig. 9, the form information which is received from the host computer 401 is constructed by: a form registration start command 901; form data 902 (comprising form data and ID information indicative of a form name or the like to discriminate the form data); and a form registration end command 903. The form information differs every printer language. For example, the form information of a printer language (A) of the command system (A) differs from the form information of a printer language (B) of the command system (B). The form data comprises: a character code, a figure, or an image; and a control code to designate the printing position and the like. In step S1, by discriminating whether the form registration start command 901 has been received or not, a check is made to see if the form information has been received or the input data has been received. When it is judged that the form registration start command 901 has been received, the form data 902 is stored in the work memory 606 until the form registration end command 903 is received. A process for analyzing the form information is executed by the input data analyzer 102 in accordance with the command system corresponding to the form information received in step S1 and the form information is converted to the intermediate data by the intermediate data converter 103 (step S2 in Fig. 10). The intermediate data converted in step S2 is stored into the work memory (606) (S3 in Fig. 10). A nonused record in the form management table is searched (step S4 in Fig. 10). The form name 801 and the address pointer 803 to the work memory are set into the nonused record which was found out in step S4 (step S5 in Fig. 10). The form registering process is finished. A method of producing a form overlay pattern by using the form registered in the work memory and outputting it will now be described in accordance with a flowchart of Fig. 11. First, the CPU 601 judges whether the input data of one page has been received from the host computer 401 or not (step S6). If YES, the CPU 601 analyzes the input data in accordance with the command system corresponding to the input data which has been transmitted from the host computer and received by the input data receiver 101. The CPU 601 converts the input data of one page to the intermediate data. On the basis of designation information which is included in the input data transmitted from the host computer and is used to designate the form, the form registered in the work memory of the printing apparatus is found out by searching the form name 801 in the form management record in the form management table (step S7 in Fig. 11). The form data (form data in the intermediate data format) is subsequently read out by accessing to the address pointer 803 of the form management record of the form file which was found out in step S7 and the form data is actually developed to the bit map data (step S8 in Fig. 11). The intermediate data obtained by converting the input data is overlapped to the bit map data of the form data which was developed in step S8 and is developed (step S9 in Fig. 11), thereby producing the form overlay pattern. The form overlay pattern is transferred to the bit map output section and is printed and outputted (step S10 in Fig. 11). Or, the produced form overlay pattern (303 in Fig. 3, for instance) can be also displayed and outputted to a display apparatus such as a CRT or the like. In the embodiment, the method of converting the form data to the intermediate data and storing into the work memory has been used. However, by connecting a hard disc (1101), an IC card, or the like as a secondary memory device as shown in Fig. 12, the intermediate data of the form data can be also stored into the secondary memory device. Consequently, since the form data which has once been stored in the secondary memory device is not deleted even if the power source of the printing apparatus is turned on or off, a using efficiency of the form is further improved. A method of managing the form information in the printing apparatus in case of using the secondary memory device will now be described with reference to Figs. 13 and 14. First, the form data included in the form information transmitted from the host computer is converted to the intermediate data and stored as a form file (1204 in Fig. 13) into the secondary memory device (1101). Various form files (1204 in Fig. 13) stored in the secondary memory device (1101) are managed by a file management file as shown at 1201 in Fig. 13 and the form management file itself is stored into the secondary memory device (1101). Reference numeral 1202 in Fig. 13 denotes a management record (1203 in Fig. 13) for each form file (1204 in Fig. 13) of the form management file (1201 in Fig. 13). Fig. 14 shows a detailed format of the management record (203) in Fig. 13. Reference numeral 1301 in Fig. 14 denotes a form name designated when the host computer registers the form into the printing apparatus; 1302 an ID flag to discriminate whether the management record is valid or invalid; and 1303 a form file name when the form information is stored into the secondary memory device (1101). It will be obviously understood that the invention can be realized in a readable/writable secondary memory device such as floppy disk, magnetooptic disk, or the like. The invention can be also realized by using a non-volatile memory. In the invention, although one form has been overlapped into the input data of one page, a plurality of forms can be also overlapped into the input data of one page as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. Namely, in the input data analyzer of various command systems provided in the printing apparatus, by registering each form data as input data of the optimum command system, the optimum output result can be derived. For example, reference numerals 1401, 1402, and 1403 in Fig. 15 show states in which form information of different command systems have been registered. Reference numeral 1502 in Fig. 16 shows a state in which the forms 1401, 1402, and 1403 have been overlapped and developed into the bit map. Reference numeral 1503 in Fig. 16 shows an output result (form overlay pattern) which is actually outputted by overlapping the bit map data of input data (1501 in Fig. 16) and the bit map data of the form data 1502. In the actual printer engine of the printing apparatus for embodying the invention, the bit map data of the page unit is converted to the video signal and is transferred from the input data developer to the printer engine or display mechanism (not shown) and is outputted. The printer engine can be applied to the following printing apparatuses. (1) A printing apparatus using an electronic photographing process such that an image corresponding to the bit map data of the page unit is formed on the photosensitive drum by a photosensitive material such as a toner or the like synchronously with the video signal by using the light emitting device such as laser beam, LED array, liquid crystal shutter, or the like, the formed image is transferred onto a sheet (normal paper), and the visible image which was transferred to the sheet (normal paper) is outputted as a stable print result by using a fixing unit of a high temperature and a high voltage. (2) A printing apparatus such that an image corresponding to the bit map data of the page unit is transferred onto a thermosensible paper by a thermosensing process such as a thermal copy transfer or the like for an output of the video signal, thereby outputting a print result. (3) An image corresponding to the bit map data of the page unit is transferred onto a sheet (normal paper) by using a printer engine such as a dot impact ink jet printer or the like for an output of the video signal, thereby outputting a print result. As described above, in the case where the printing apparatus corresponds to a plurality of command systems, by converting the input data and form data corresponding to various command systems to the intermediate print data that is peculiar to the printing apparatus, it is possible to overlap the input data of the command system (A) and the form data of the command system (B) and to produce and print or display the form overlay pattern. Consequently, by utilizing the advantages of the command systems, the result (form overlay pattern) in which the print data and form data are overlapped can be outputted. A pattern output apparatus and a pattern output method, in which data received from an external apparatus such as a host computer is developed to bit map pattern data on a page unit basis as output information and the bit map pattern data is outputted. The pattern output apparatus comprises a converter for converting form data to intermediate data, a memory to store the form data converted to the intermediate data by the converter, and an output controller for converting input data which is inputted from an external apparatus to intermediate data, for producing a pattern based on the input data converted to the intermediate data and the form data stored in the memory, and for outputting the pattern. The input data and the form data are expressed by different command systems. The intermediate data has a data format peculiar to the pattern output apparatus. The intermediate data is the data obtained by processing the input data or form data so as to easily produce the pattern.

Claims: A printing apparatus that can interpret data according to a printer language, comprising: input means (101) for receiving input data (301) and form data (302) from an external apparatus; intermediate data conversion means (103) for converting the input data and the form data received by said input means into intermediate data, respectively, which is peculiar to said printing apparatus, based on the printer language; and development means (201) for developing the intermediate data converted by said intermediate data conversion means to bit map data, wherein said development means overlaps the bit map data produced by developing the intermediate data converted from the input data and the bit map data produced by developing the intermediate data converted from the form data on each other, so as to form a form overlay pattern (303). An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input data and said form data are expressed by different printer languages. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate data is the data obtained by processing said input data so as to easily produce said pattern. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate data is the data obtained by processing said form data so as to easily produce said pattern. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: form storage means (105) for storing the intermediate data converted from the form data; and form management means (104) for registering and managing the intermediate data stored in said form storage means, wherein said development means (201) reads the intermediate data from said form storage means based on information, included in the input data, indicating a form and based on said form management means, and forms the form overlay pattern (303) from the read intermediate data. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said form storage means stores the intermediate data converted from the form data of different printer languages. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said development means overlaps the bit map data produced by developing the intermediate data converted from the input data and the bit map data produced by developing a plurality of the intermediate data converted from a plurality of the form data stored in said form storage means on each other, so as to form a form overlay pattern (1503). A printing method in a printing apparatus in which data according to a printer language can be interpreted, comprising the steps of: receiving (S1; S6) input data (301) and form data (302) from an external apparatus; converting (S2) the input data and the form data received in said receiving step into intermediate data, respectively, which is peculiar to said printing apparatus, based on the printer language; and developing (S9) the intermediate data converted in said converting step to bit map data, wherein the bit map data produced by developing the intermediate data converted from the input data and the bit map data produced by developing the intermediate data converted from the form data are overlapped on each other, so as to form a form overlay pattern (303). A method according to claim 8, wherein said input data and said form data are expressed by different printer languages. A method according to claim 8, wherein said intermediate data is the data obtained by processing said input data so as to easily produce said pattern. A method according to claim 8, wherein said intermediate data is the data obtained by processing said form data so as to easily produce said pattern. A method according to claim 8, comprising the further steps of: storing the intermediate data converted from the form data in form storage means (105); and registering and managing the intermediate data stored in said form storage means in form management means (104), wherein in said developing step the intermediate data are read from said form storage means based on information, included in the input data, indicating a form and based on said form management means, and the form overlay pattern (303) is formed from the read intermediate data. A method according to claim 12, wherein the intermediate data converted from the form data of different printer languages are stored in said form storage means. A method according to claim 12, wherein in said developing step the bit map data produced by developing the intermediate data converted from the input data and the bit map data produced by developing a plurality of the intermediate data converted from a plurality of the form data stored in said form storage means are overlapped on each other, so as to form a form overlay pattern (1503).

Inventors: SHIMIZU MASAAKI, SHIMIZU, MASAAKI, SHIMIZU, MASAAKI, C/O CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B41J5
IPC codes: B41J21, G06K15, G06F3